jacobs-greenwood Bette Davis plays Miss Lilly Moffat, a career school teacher in a small Welsh mining town. Lilly recognizes a special intelligence in one of her students, Morgan Evans (John Dall, who received his only Academy Award nomination - Best Supporting Actor - in his first film!), and does everything she can, including manipulating the town squire (Nigel Bruce) to provide him an opportunity to go to Oxford.However, negatively influenced by others within the community who are jealous of the "teacher's pet", Morgan makes a costly mistake involving a young woman, Bessie Watty (Joan Lorring, who also received her only Oscar nomination - Best Supporting Actress). Lilly must then exert maximum effort, and ultimately make a great sacrifice, to convince Morgan that she is right about what is best, and that he should pursue the high goals she has set for him to attain.Rhys Williams and Mildred Dunnock, among others, provides support. Directed by Irving Rapper, with a screenplay by Frank Cavett and Casey Robinson that was based on the Emlyn Williams play.

moonspinner55 With her degree, an inherited estate in a small Welsh village, and a modest amount of money in the bank, Miss Lilly Moffat--a confirmed and not-reluctant spinster in 1895 who shows early signs of women's liberation--opens a school on her property for the uneducated locals and the illiterate boys who work in the nearby coal mine. Surely finding a hidden scholar amongst her pupils would bring Miss Moffat pride, but it may require a life-long sacrifice from her... Terrific drama from Warner Bros. with light and sentimental moments, music from the song-happy miners and students, and theatrical yet effective performances from the large cast. Bette Davis brings a persnickety wisdom to Miss Moffat, a clipped yet jaunty stride which invites warm human interaction during the infrequent moments when she's not all business. The students do not worship the regal Miss Moffat in fearful admiration, nor do the townspeople question her reign over the educational system--everyone, in fact, falls right in league with her, as if she were the Pied Piper of teachers. The background noise is kept to a blessed minimum in order to concentrate on the relationship between teacher and student; quite amazingly, each of the many characters blossoms as a result. Smartly-attuned adaptation of Emlyn Williams' play provides the perfect vehicle for Davis (seldom better), as well as John Dall (Oscar-nominated as the miner whose early essay signals to his teacher that he may have much more to offer than meets the eye). Slightly hoked-up near the finale, but still a sprightly, hearty film, beautifully produced. *** from ****

jotix100 When Miss Lilly Moffat decided to settle in a small Welsh village, little prepared her for the horrible conditions all around her new surroundings. The coal mines were not far away, so it was inevitable to see the mainly teen aged boys going to work, and worst yet, seeing them return home covered in coal dust. In spite of their hard life, the lads always sang the country airs they loved so well.Miss Moffat decided against her better judgment to start a school for the locals because she sees the need to bring education to the poor rural area. With the help of two other teachers, Mr. Jones and Miss Ronberry, the classes begin. The Squire, an unofficial sort of mayor, was not too keen in the idea, perhaps because his own interests in the mine. He could see that learning to read and write would make the people challenge his authority, his knowledge and his status.With a lot of patience, Miss Moffat concentrates in one boy, Morgan Evans, because she realizes he has potential to make something out of himself. Morgan, in turn, gets the inspiration and support from the tireless Lilly Moffat. When she decides to nominate him for a scholarship to Oxford, Morgan is taken by surprise, but goes along with her plans, which almost get derailed when he has a night of passion with the daughter of the cook, Bessie. Miss Moffat, who learns about how Bessie has her own plans for Morgan, comes to the rescue."The Corn is Green" was an enormous hit on the American theater. The leading queen of the New York stage, Ethel Barrymore, made an unforgettable Miss Moffat and became a legend for her brilliant take on the character. Warner Bros. made an interesting choice when they entrusted Bette Davis, the brightest star of the studio to portray Lilly Moffat. This was one of her best performances, and yet, this picture didn't help much her career.As directed by Irving Rapper, the film kept its theatrical flavor. The adaptation opened the play, but not enough. For John Dall, a theater actor, this was his first film. He held his own playing against Ms. Davis. He went to give an inspired performance, worthy of his character. Mildred Dunnock appears as Ms. Ronberry and Rhys Williams is the loyal Mr. Jones. Nigel Bruce and Joan Lorring have also good moments in the film.The film is recommended to Bette Davis fans because she made Lilly Moffat credible and did wonders with the role.

MartinHafer This movie would be a GREAT film to watch after watching the wonderful HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY. Both are about rural Wales and deal with the simple coal mining families.Bette Davis plays an Englishwoman who comes to a rural town in Wales and is appalled by the ignorance of the people, as hardly any of them can read and write. So, she sets up a school in her home and devotes her life to teaching students of all ages. Later in the film, she finds a star student who has a chance to make something of himself and leave this poor town for Oxford. But, at the same time, a very annoying little tart tries her best to de-rail this--mostly because she COULD. The tart is thrilled that the young man bound for Oxford is the father of her soon-to-be-born child--not because she cares at all for him but because it seemed to fill her with self-importance and power. Well, through the selfless efforts of Ms. Davis, this is resolved and the young bloke goes on to make something of himself.The film is very well-crafted--with exceptional acting by all (the Welsh accents were good and Ms. Davis did well with her English accent), direction and script. A nice film all around and well worth your time.